December 15, 1791, was a monumentally historic day in history as the most important Amendment was adopted, it stated:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

—Article I of the US Constitution

Individuals in modern society claim that the amendment doesn't protect you, and others claim one thing that may offend someone. You, as a citizen of the United States of America, have a right to speak your mind, whether it be a false statement or an unwarranted claim. Be wary, there are many people who will bash you over the head with a club for doing it (metaphorically), however, this is wrong, as the First Amendment directly states,

"...or the right of the people peaceably to assemble...",

(notice RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE) this contradicts any argument against it, or make it sound very fallible.

Here's why the First Amendment matters: In today's politically heated climate, it is extremely difficult to say something without an uproar of people from their own viewpoint rushing to silence you. Frankly, it's hard to find the truth in the mess; People will say one thing, someone will interpret it another way, and a ton of people will get themselves all worked up trying to silence each other, even going to the extent of calling each other ‘fascists’ and ‘Nazis.’ People should be given the right to speak what they believe, no matter how controversial or hateful the statement may be. The First Amendment establishes and creates our basic rights as citizens of the US; if someone takes away that Amendment, it takes away our humanity, power, and voice. Without the First Amendment we are susceptible to chaos, some things we say could literally get us killed, and it's why the First Amendment is a key and essential role in our everyday lives.

In today's society, we see many people who want to take away freedom of speech, such as: AntiFA, White Supremacists (the ones who dress up like ghosts, not the ones who are called that by amateur debaters online), Communists, Globalists, Neo-Nazis (again, real ones), etc. For example, the Berkeley Riots, we witnessed Free Speech Advocates go to an event to listen to an opinionated speaker say what they thought about the First Amendment. The people who came and listened had all and any objects that were or resembling weapons confiscated from them when they entered. AntiFA stood outside, armed, and waiting. They waited for the event to end, and surrounded them as they left. All of this because someone spoke at an event. Another example are the trans students from the University of Toronto trying to bar Jordan Peterson from speaking. It's wrong trying to silence someone because they think differently from you, it is completely childish. And as citizens of a free nation, it is our duty to help spread and support the right to free speech, and only so many of us will.

Here's how you can protect it.

Start by sparking healthy, structured debates, talk with people, get to know them and their views. You may disagree with many people, but find something you agree on and go on from there. On social media, instead of reporting someone for saying something you disagree with, block them. It's hard, don't get me wrong, but it helps everyone in the long run. After a while the people who want to end free speech will either learn to love it, or just leave, and stop their ignorant antics.